It's Your Move (1984 - 1985)

After Jason Bateman had shown just how funny he could be on Silver Spoons, he was given his own show called It's Your Move, which ran from September 1984 to February of 1985. Unlike most TV family sitcoms of the time, Silver Spoons included, Bateman's show emphasized clever humor and witty writing over typical plots involving normal family behaviors such as in Family Ties or Growing Pains. And like those shows, It's Your Move often had a moral of some kind, but it delivered it in a Simpson-esque way rather than shoving it down your throat.

The show revolves around a smart, 14 year-old kid named Matthew Burton (Bateman), who with the help of his slightly chubby crony, Eli, keenly pulls off schemes and pranks that would impress Ferris Bueller. Matthew lives in an apartment with his Mom, Eileen, an attractive, single woman who attracts men like flies to a horse. Matthew, of course, is very protective of mom and uses his clever tricks and schemes to weed out any of the losers who might want to take advantage of Eileen's kindness and naivete. His Mom, however, is completely oblivious to her son's antics and believes that he is as sweet and innocent as she is. Matthew also lives with his older sister, Julie, for whom Eli has a huge crush. But unlike Mom, Julie often sees through her brother's plans and offers up any trouble she can. Still, Matthew even has his bratty sister under control and is the master of his destiny.

Until...one day a struggling writer named Norman moves into the apartment across the hall and immediately falls in love with Matthew's mother. Eileen feels the same for Norman, who treats her well. But Matthew doesn't share his mother's sentiments and feels that she should be dating rich, good-looking guys, which Norman is not. Thus, he sets out to ruin Norman's chances with Eileen with one of his hilarious setups, but Norman turns out to just as be as clever and turns the tables on Matthew.